Enoch had this testimony, that he pleased God. How remarkably similar to the words of the Lord
Jesus Christ who said, "I do always the things that please the Father...John 8:29. Accordingly then,
we can expect that he will call the world to turn to God and obey His two greatest
commandments...to "love the Lord with all thy heart, and thy neighbor as thyself". He can also be
expected to prophesy of the impending judgment according to his warning recorded in the Book Of
Jude. Elijah's ministry on earth exemplified God's power over the forces of nature, His power over
death, and His ability to provide miraculously for his own. Moreover, he powerfully demonstrated
the superior power of Yahweh God over Baal, thereby beginning revival amongst the people. When
he first challenged them to stop faltering between two opinions, they wouldn't even answer him.
That's how far into apostasy Israel had slipped. But after God accepted his sacrifice by fire from
heaven which consumed a bullock soaked by 12 barrels of water, the wood the sacrifice was
placed on, the water in the trench around the altar, and the altar itself, the people fell on their faces
and acknowledged that God was the Lord, and gave Him the glory. So we can expect that at least
part of Elijah's testimony will focus on the Lord Jesus Christ as the " only LORD GOD and the soon
coming Moshiach for the true Torah Jews. This testimony will be of utmost importance since the
Beast will command the worship of the masses and blaspheme God, His name, His dwelling place,
and those who dwell in heaven...(Revelation 13:4, 6) Many will 'halt' (falter) between two opinions
as they weigh whether to fear the wrath of man, and serve the Beast, or fear the wrath of God, which
is a consuming fire.
Jesus Christ who said, "I do always the things that please the Father...John 8:29. Accordingly then,
we can expect that he will call the world to turn to God and obey His two greatest
commandments...to "love the Lord with all thy heart, and thy neighbor as thyself". He can also be
expected to prophesy of the impending judgment according to his warning recorded in the Book Of
Jude. Elijah's ministry on earth exemplified God's power over the forces of nature, His power over
death, and His ability to provide miraculously for his own. Moreover, he powerfully demonstrated
the superior power of Yahweh God over Baal, thereby beginning revival amongst the people. When
he first challenged them to stop faltering between two opinions, they wouldn't even answer him.
That's how far into apostasy Israel had slipped. But after God accepted his sacrifice by fire from
heaven which consumed a bullock soaked by 12 barrels of water, the wood the sacrifice was
placed on, the water in the trench around the altar, and the altar itself, the people fell on their faces
and acknowledged that God was the Lord, and gave Him the glory. So we can expect that at least
part of Elijah's testimony will focus on the Lord Jesus Christ as the " only LORD GOD and the soon
coming Moshiach for the true Torah Jews. This testimony will be of utmost importance since the
Beast will command the worship of the masses and blaspheme God, His name, His dwelling place,
and those who dwell in heaven...(Revelation 13:4, 6) Many will 'halt' (falter) between two opinions
as they weigh whether to fear the wrath of man, and serve the Beast, or fear the wrath of God, which
is a consuming fire.
The Old Testament prophet Zechariah referred to these two witnesses as "two olive trees", "the two
anointed ones that stand by the Lord of the whole earth." The term 'anointed ones' literally means,
sons of fresh oil. As 'lampstands standing before the God of the whole earth'...(Revelation 11:4)
they are full of the oil of the Holy Spirit, and burn brightly with a flame ignited by the consuming fire
of God. Their purpose is to bear witness and give a testimony. There is a strictly allotted time
period for this witness, however, therefore, they are given power to disable by death, any who
attempt to silence them by harming them. They are also provided supernatural power confirming
their ministry via ability to prevent rain, turn water to blood, and smite the earth with plagues.
anointed ones that stand by the Lord of the whole earth." The term 'anointed ones' literally means,
sons of fresh oil. As 'lampstands standing before the God of the whole earth'...(Revelation 11:4)
they are full of the oil of the Holy Spirit, and burn brightly with a flame ignited by the consuming fire
of God. Their purpose is to bear witness and give a testimony. There is a strictly allotted time
period for this witness, however, therefore, they are given power to disable by death, any who
attempt to silence them by harming them. They are also provided supernatural power confirming
their ministry via ability to prevent rain, turn water to blood, and smite the earth with plagues.
| WHAT ARE THEIR TESTIMONIES? |
Although we cannot know what the witnesses' sermons will be about word for word, we may be
able to glimpse a general idea of what their respective testimonies will be, based on their former
ministries on earth, and statements our Lord himself made about them.
able to glimpse a general idea of what their respective testimonies will be, based on their former
ministries on earth, and statements our Lord himself made about them.
Elijah also seems to have been given the peculiar ministry of "turning the hearts of the children back to
the fathers." Who are the 'fathers'?
Many times in the scriptures, in the Old Testament as well as the New, the patriarchs of Israel are
referred to as the 'fathers'. Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob were spoken of in this manner, because after the
Flood, it was these men, beginning with Abraham, that God called as instruments for his glory, and the
beginnings of the nation that would bring forth the Messiah, the Redeemer of all mankind. They were
often also referred to with a certain nationalistic pride, as in the exchange between Jesus and the
Pharisees in the eighth chapter of the gospel of John and Jesus and the woman at the well in the fourth
chapter of the same book. Elijah himself alludes to this peculiar mission in the 18th chapter of I Kings,
verse 37, and it is also spoken of again in Malachi 4:5,6 in conjunction with the Day Of The Lord. This
lets us know his ministry will extend up to just before the return of the Lord Jesus Christ.
There is a curse spoken of for the earth in these verses of Malachi if the children do not turn their hearts
to the fathers. The earth has been cursed once already because of the sin of Adam's disobedience
(Genesis 3:17), which sin was rejecting God for the lordship of Satan (his servants you are to whom you
obey). Jesus told the Jews in his day that if they were truly the sons of Abraham, they would do the works
of Abraham. A parallel sin today would be for them to reject the Messiah when He appears. Fortunately,
we know by God's unfailing word that the remnant who are spared in the land will be purified and refined
by God, and will look on Him who they have pierced, and mourn bitterly. There will be repentance,
restoration, and finally, peace.
the fathers." Who are the 'fathers'?
Many times in the scriptures, in the Old Testament as well as the New, the patriarchs of Israel are
referred to as the 'fathers'. Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob were spoken of in this manner, because after the
Flood, it was these men, beginning with Abraham, that God called as instruments for his glory, and the
beginnings of the nation that would bring forth the Messiah, the Redeemer of all mankind. They were
often also referred to with a certain nationalistic pride, as in the exchange between Jesus and the
Pharisees in the eighth chapter of the gospel of John and Jesus and the woman at the well in the fourth
chapter of the same book. Elijah himself alludes to this peculiar mission in the 18th chapter of I Kings,
verse 37, and it is also spoken of again in Malachi 4:5,6 in conjunction with the Day Of The Lord. This
lets us know his ministry will extend up to just before the return of the Lord Jesus Christ.
There is a curse spoken of for the earth in these verses of Malachi if the children do not turn their hearts
to the fathers. The earth has been cursed once already because of the sin of Adam's disobedience
(Genesis 3:17), which sin was rejecting God for the lordship of Satan (his servants you are to whom you
obey). Jesus told the Jews in his day that if they were truly the sons of Abraham, they would do the works
of Abraham. A parallel sin today would be for them to reject the Messiah when He appears. Fortunately,
we know by God's unfailing word that the remnant who are spared in the land will be purified and refined
by God, and will look on Him who they have pierced, and mourn bitterly. There will be repentance,
restoration, and finally, peace.
| MARTYRDOM and RESURRECTION! |
When the allotted time for their testimony is completed, the two witnesses will be murdered by the
'Beast that ascends out of the bottomless pit'. Scripture tells us this murder will take place in
"that great city called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified". No one will be permitted to
bury them, and they will lie in the open as a public spectacle and cause for celebration worldwide. The
party will grind to a screeching halt, however, after 3 1/2 days, when the voice of God calls them back to
heaven, and they are taken up in a cloud - coinciding with the resurrection of the redeemed. Among the
party-goers are the 7000 who are slated to die in the earthquake which is to immediately follow the
witnesses' evacuation.
'Beast that ascends out of the bottomless pit'. Scripture tells us this murder will take place in
"that great city called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified". No one will be permitted to
bury them, and they will lie in the open as a public spectacle and cause for celebration worldwide. The
party will grind to a screeching halt, however, after 3 1/2 days, when the voice of God calls them back to
heaven, and they are taken up in a cloud - coinciding with the resurrection of the redeemed. Among the
party-goers are the 7000 who are slated to die in the earthquake which is to immediately follow the
witnesses' evacuation.
| A SUPERNATURAL WITNESS |
You will remember from your Bible studying the words Jesus spoke in the Olivet discourse, "And this
gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the
end come. For years we have been taught that it was up to (basically) our missionaries to reach all the
lost. Many feel that has been sufficiently done and they can rest on their laurels now and await the return
of Christ. But has everyone really heard? What about in places like North Korea where the preaching of
the gospel is strictly forbidden and punishable by death or imprisonment? You couldn't get in there to
preach if you wanted to. Yes, there are still many places in the world where people can be born, live, and
die, and never see a missionary, a church, or a bible. Yet Jesus says all nations must be witnessed to.
How then, is this to be accomplished?
Do you remember a very significant event that occurred on the day of Pentecost? Jews who had
their native roots in many different parts of the world were suddenly able to hear God being glorified
in their own native tongue!
And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven. Now when
this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard
them speak in his own language. And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold,
are not all these which speak Galilaeans? And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we
were born? Parthians and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and
Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia, Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about
Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes, Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our
tongues the wonderful works of God.
If God accomplished this over 2000 years ago on a Pentecost Day, He can surely bring it to pass again
through the ministry of the Two Witnesses. God is not willing that any should perish, He will go to the
utmost length to reach the lost...there is no such thing as a language barrier with God. How exciting to
have a sneak preview of the wonder-working power of God!
gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the
end come. For years we have been taught that it was up to (basically) our missionaries to reach all the
lost. Many feel that has been sufficiently done and they can rest on their laurels now and await the return
of Christ. But has everyone really heard? What about in places like North Korea where the preaching of
the gospel is strictly forbidden and punishable by death or imprisonment? You couldn't get in there to
preach if you wanted to. Yes, there are still many places in the world where people can be born, live, and
die, and never see a missionary, a church, or a bible. Yet Jesus says all nations must be witnessed to.
How then, is this to be accomplished?
Do you remember a very significant event that occurred on the day of Pentecost? Jews who had
their native roots in many different parts of the world were suddenly able to hear God being glorified
in their own native tongue!
And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven. Now when
this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard
them speak in his own language. And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold,
are not all these which speak Galilaeans? And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we
were born? Parthians and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and
Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia, Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about
Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes, Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our
tongues the wonderful works of God.
If God accomplished this over 2000 years ago on a Pentecost Day, He can surely bring it to pass again
through the ministry of the Two Witnesses. God is not willing that any should perish, He will go to the
utmost length to reach the lost...there is no such thing as a language barrier with God. How exciting to
have a sneak preview of the wonder-working power of God!
| PROOF POSITIVE OF A SUCCESSFUL MINISTRY |
How can we know for sure that the witnesses will have a successful ministry that brings forth much fruit?
The proof is found in 7th chapter of Revelation, verses 9-17.
After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds,
and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and
palms in their hands; And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the
throne, and to the Lamb.
And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before
the throne on their faces, and worshipped God, Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and
thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen.
And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and
whence came they? And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came
out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that
sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither
shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them,
and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.
The proof is found in 7th chapter of Revelation, verses 9-17.
After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds,
and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and
palms in their hands; And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the
throne, and to the Lamb.
And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before
the throne on their faces, and worshipped God, Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and
thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen.
And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and
whence came they? And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came
out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that
sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither
shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them,
and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.
MINISTRY |
3 1/2 years |
42 months |
1,260 days |
| CONCLUSION |
As saints of the True and Living God, and joint-heirs with Jesus Christ, we should be encouraged by the example of
the Two Witnesses. The fact that God has already declared the end from the beginning and informed us of their
history, His intervention, their future ministry, and His ultimate faithfulness should be cause for us to persevere
and stand boldly in the days to come. Many of us may not live to see their tenure, but we should prepare ourselves
anyway to testify as they will, and to love not our lives unto the death. Remember, Elijah had feelings just like us,
he got weary, he got discouraged. Enoch was a husband and father. Family life in a decadent society brings its
share of frustration and grief. Both of these brothers in the Lord (for that is what they are to us!) faced the fury of
Satan manifested through people, yet remained faithful to the end. If they can do it, so can we.
Let's strive to walk like Enoch, dedicated, pleasing God, and warning others of the judgment to come. Let's strive
to walk like Elijah, whose God is the Lord, with a zeal for the holiness of God and faith enough that God might work
miracles through us, should He so desire.
the Two Witnesses. The fact that God has already declared the end from the beginning and informed us of their
history, His intervention, their future ministry, and His ultimate faithfulness should be cause for us to persevere
and stand boldly in the days to come. Many of us may not live to see their tenure, but we should prepare ourselves
anyway to testify as they will, and to love not our lives unto the death. Remember, Elijah had feelings just like us,
he got weary, he got discouraged. Enoch was a husband and father. Family life in a decadent society brings its
share of frustration and grief. Both of these brothers in the Lord (for that is what they are to us!) faced the fury of
Satan manifested through people, yet remained faithful to the end. If they can do it, so can we.
Let's strive to walk like Enoch, dedicated, pleasing God, and warning others of the judgment to come. Let's strive
to walk like Elijah, whose God is the Lord, with a zeal for the holiness of God and faith enough that God might work
miracles through us, should He so desire.
| ©2003-2011 www.thecalmbeforethestorm.com |
ARTIST CREDIT--"Old Man"
Oil on canvas by Rashid Al Mulla, Sharjah,
United Arab Emirates
Oil on canvas by Rashid Al Mulla, Sharjah,
United Arab Emirates